This has been a fun-filled, remarkable year for the Linen Hall Library in Belfast as it has celebrated its 225th year. December wraps it all up with a seasonal programme including a service of carols, music and words at St. Anne’s Cathedral.

On Thursday, December 12th, there is a Christmas Xtravaganza at 5.30pm, with a silver band playing Christmas music and a Victorian storyteller as a perfect backdrop for this family evening. Poems for Christmas follows on Wednesday, December 18th, at 1pm, with Belfast-based poet and critic Kevin Quinn reading a selection of Christmas-themed poems by Thomas Hardy, Dylan Thomas, John Betjeman, Seamus Heaney, Paul Muldoon and others.

As a final sign off to mark the Linen Hall’s 225th birthday year, a special service of thanksgiving with carols, music and words will be held in St. Anne’s Cathedral on Thursday December 19th, at 6pm. Linen Hall patrons Dame Mary Peters, Glenn Patterson, Dan Gordon and Roma Tomelty will give readings. Musician Neil Martin will play something specially chosen for this event. The cathedral choir and organist will also perform traditional carols. For more information about these events and the Linen Hall Library in general, visit linenhall.com.